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Firefox OS To Launch In More Markets Before The End Of 2013

Firefox OS, Mozilla’s mobile OS alternative to Android and iOS, launched in select European and South American markets earlier this year. It’s been a little too quiet on the Firefox OS fro...
Firefox OS To Launch In More Markets Before The End Of 2013
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  • Firefox OS, Mozilla’s mobile OS alternative to Android and iOS, launched in select European and South American markets earlier this year. It’s been a little too quiet on the Firefox OS front since then, but Mozilla and its hardware partners are starting to stir once again.

    Mozilla announced today that it and its hardware partners are preparing to launch Firefox OS in even more South American countries, including Brazil. Currently, Firefox OS devices are only available in Colombia and Venezuela through Telefonica.

    “These first launches of Firefox OS in Spain, Colombia and Venezuela have surpassed our expectations demonstrating a strong consumer appetite for a great value and open smartphone offer,” said Yotam Ben-Ami, Director of Open Web Devices at Telefonica. “We now look forward to bringing the benefits of Firefox OS to our customers in Brazil and three other Latin America markets during Q4 2013 as well as making it available through many more Telefónica operating businesses during 2014.”

    Telefonica may operate in Spain, but what about the rest of Europe. Mobile carrier Deutsche Telecom says that it plans to expand upon its successful launch in Poland with more launches in Germany, Greece and Hungary.

    Mozilla also announced a new partner in Telenor – a Norway-based telecom company. The carrier will launch Firefox OS devices in Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro before the end of the year.

    Of course, Mozilla won’t be simply resting on its laurels as more Firefox OS devices make their way into the hands of more people. The company announced today that it’s pushing out version 1.1 of Firefox OS today. This update adds MMS messaging and a variety of performance improvements.

    Mozilla CEO Jay Sullivan says the latest update to Firefox OS is all about delivering the best product to people who may be buying their very first smartphone:

    “The positive market reception of the first Firefox OS smartphones demonstrates that people like the user experience and openness we’re building with Firefox OS,” said Jay Sullivan, Mozilla Chief Operating Officer. “We continue to enhance Firefox OS to deliver the best experience for the many people around the world buying their first smartphones. We are looking forward to seeing the response to the next round of Firefox OS launches.”

    While there’s still no word on a U.S. launch for Firefox OS, ZTE confirmed last month that its Firefox OS device would be launching in the states next year. If you’re super impatient, you can get one through eBay right now.

    [Image: ZTE]

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